Roma

Roma, know as the Eternal City, is the capital of Italy. It’s the famed city of the Roman Empire, the Seven Hills, La Dolce Vita (the sweet life), the Vatican City and Three Coins in the Fountain. Rome, as a millenium-long centre of power, culture (having been the cradle of one of the globe’s greatest civilisations ever) and religion, has exerted a huge influence over the world in its roughly 2800 years of existence.

The historic centre of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With wonderful palaces, millennium-old churches, grand romantic ruins, opulent monuments, ornate statues and graceful fountains, Rome has an immensely rich historical heritage and cosmopolitan atmosphere, making it one of Europe’s and the world’s most visited, famous, influential and beautiful capitals.
Today, Rome has a growing nightlife scene and is also seen as a shopping heaven, being regarded as one of the fashion capitals of the world (some of Italy’s oldest jewellery and clothing establishments were founded in the city).
With so many sights and things to do, Rome can truly be classified a “global city”.

A visitor’s biggest challenge in Rome is to decide how to cram in as much as time limitations allow, without doing so much that the true masterpieces in art and architecture are overlooked. Reach a good balance by taking some time out to sit at pavement cafes and people-watch, in order to pick up the slower pace of Rome..

How to get here

by plane
Leonardo da Vinci/Fiumicino International Airport. Rome’s main airport is modern, large, rather efficient and well connected to the city centre by public transport, the Leonardo Express leaves every 30 minutes to Roma Termini
Ciampino International Airport, located to the southeast of the capital, this is the city’s low-cost airline airport,

by tram and metro
In Rome,there are six tram lines and three-and-a-half Metro lines

by train
Rome’s main railway station is Roma Termini. Other main stations are Roma Tiburtina, Roma Ostiense, Roma Trastevere and Roma Tuscolana.

by car
the city is ringed by an avenue - the Grande Raccordo Anulare or, simply, the GRA. If you are going to the very center of the city any road leading off the GRA will get you there

by boat
the port of Rome is Civitavecchia, an hour and a half away from Rome

what to see....

There is so much to do and to see in Rome, sights are everywhere waiting to be discovered, classical ruins, early places of worship, ancient fountains and Renaissance palazzos. Against this dramatic backdrop, where centuries of different architectural styles vie for the visitor’s attention, you will find a modern, vibrant city with a smorgasbord of activities, eateries and museums.
Must-sees in Rome include the iconic Colosseum, the city’s most classical ruin as well as the former Roman temple- turned- church, the Pantheon. Marvel at the 50 meter wide Trevi Fountain, Rome’s largest Baroque fountain, and the beautiful façade and interior of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. Pay a visit to one of the most ancient parts of the city, the Palatine Hill full of archaeological ruins. The Borghese Gallery contains one of the world’s greatest art collections, with hundreds of statues and other artefacts, the Doria Pamphilj Gallery famous for its incredible pieces of art and for its palazzo. The Vatican Museums, with the Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, are also home to classical statues, frescoes and other decorations. St Peter’s Basilica, the heart of the Catholic Church. and the Square.

what to visit....

The medieval town of Anagni with the Romanesque castle-like cathedral and the impressive Papal Palace. Bomarzo with his Park of the Monsters. The Roman Castles, a hilltop towns southeast of Rome, famous for their pastoral surroundings and palace-castles. Frascati is famed for the wine and Villa Aldobrandini with its surrounding gardens. At Castel Gandolfo see the Papal Palace and gardens and views across Lake Albano. Genzano overlooks Lake Nemi and is known for shopping; the Ducal Palace and visiting the Corpus Christi floral display. Albano Laziale slopes down towards Lake Albano and has ancient Roman remains. Ariccia is a good place to taste the local roast pork and visit the 17th century Palazzo Chigi. At Velletri enjoy the Camellia Festival in March and the Archaeological Museum. Cerveteri important ancient Etruscan city. The archaeological site of Ostia antica. The Abbey of Montecassino on a rocky hill southeast of Rome. Tivoli, a hilltop town east of Rome, famed for its three beautiful villas – UNESCO sites Renaissance Villa d’Este with its beautiful gardens and Hadrian’s Villa Adriana built in 118-138AD plus Villa Gregoriana with its famous Great Waterfall and Grottoes of Neptune. ... and more

what to eat....

Roman cuisine is based on seasonal ingredients mostly from Roman Campagna, and prepared in a simple way. Among these, the most important are vegetables (typical are peas, globe artichokes and fava beans), meat (milk lamb and goat) and cheeses (Pecorino romano and ricotta). Also used is the fat of prosciutto, while olive oil is used only for raw vegetables and - occasionally - to fry.
Pasta is one important element of Roman cuisine.
Famous pasta sauces include amatriciana, carbonara, (a sauce made with pancetta or guanciale - pig’s cheek -, cheese and egg), cacio e pepe and gricia (like carbonara but without eggs).
The old-fashioned coda alla vaccinara (oxtail cooked in the way of butchers) is still one of the city’s most popular meals and is part of most of Rome’s restaurants’ menus. Lamb is also a very popular part of Roman cuisine, and is often roasted with spices and herbs.The city is known as a centre of white wine, especially with the warm territory. Frascati and Castelli Romani have been called the best ones in the city.

what to buy...

Rome has excellent shopping opportunites of all kinds - clothing and jewellery (it has been nominated as a top fashion capital) to art and antiques. You also get some big department stores, outlets and shopping centres, notably in the suburbs and outskirts.
Main shopping areas include via del Corso, via Condotti (plus the surrounding streets) and via Cola di Rienzo; the finest designer stores are around via Condotti, whilst via del Corso has more affordable clothing. The surroundings of via del Tritone, piazza Campo de’ Fiori and the Pantheon are the places to go for cheaper items.
The lovers of vintage and antique products will find in Rome various markets: Porta Portese, only on Sunday morning in the Trastevere area; Dei Fiori, especially flowers and vegetables, opens in the morning and is located in Campo de ‘Fiori. It’s a fascinating and colorful; Piazza Fontanella Borghese, every day, except Sunday, and sells books and antiques. It is located near the Spanish Steps; Via Sannio: 5 minutes from the San Giovanni metro stop, this market is open on business days until lunchtime. Here you will find new or vintage clothing.